Ackermann praises the Lions

BY NATALI IVERSON - OCTOBER 20, 2014

The Xerox Golden Lions thrashed the Cell C Sharks 50-20 in their ABSA Currie Cup semi-final match at Ellis Park on Saturday, meaning that they will face the DHL Western Province Stormers in the finals at Newlands this coming Saturday.

Lions coach, Johan Ackermann, has said that due to his team’s superior first half performance as well as the hard work off the bench, the Lions concluded their victory.

"When you are in a semi-final and you build up that kind of lead, it is always difficult to come back and we put a lot of faith in our bench to finish it off and that is exactly what happened," Ackermann said.

"As they got momentum back, one or two of our bench guys made a difference again, so that was a 22-man effort and it worked out well as we planned."

The Lions had built-up a strong lead by ending the first half 23-3. Despite a hard fight comeback by the men in black-and-white, a further three tries was enough to secure victory for the men from Johannesburg.

"It was tough and I don't think that score is a true reflection of the game as a whole," said Lions captain Warren Whiteley.

"During the week, the coach told us that we've got to express ourselves and we've got to do what we've been doing throughout the season.”

Photo caption: Lions coach, Johan Ackermann was pleased with the off bench performance in the game against the Sharks. Photo courtesy of www.citizen.co.za

Platinum Stars coach, Allan Freese, has praised his team for their hard fought 1-0 victory against Moroka Swallows, in their ABSA Premiership Soccer League (PSL) match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday.

Toyota Free State Cheetahs fullback, Willie le Roux, has said that there currently is good energy within his team, who are preparing for their fourth 2015 Super Rugby match against the Vodacom Blue Bulls at the Free State Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Emirates Golden Lions Rugby Union has let former Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Madibaz coach, Brent Janse van Rensburg, out of his current contract in order for him to join the Eastern Province Kings as their defence coach.